Wellhead Tubing Hanger Alignment via Helical Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore construction methods, such as using Orientation Spools and Tubing Head Spools, are costly and increase fatigue loading on wellheads, requiring significant time and resources for installation and potential remedial operations due to the complexity of accurately orienting downhole tubing and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A wellhead apparatus with a tubing hanger alignment arrangement that integrates orientation features within the wellhead, eliminating the need for external Orientation Spools or Tubing Head Spools, allowing for accurate and efficient alignment and locking of tubing hangers and associated equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional Orientation Spools or Tubing Head Spools are used to orient the tubing hanger, then accurate orientation of downhole tubing and equipment is achieved, but installation costs increase significantly (US$1 million to US$2 million per well) and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the orientation function into the wellhead apparatus itself by providing an alignment arrangement integrated within the wellhead body. This eliminates the need for separate Orientation Spools or Tubing Head Spools, combining multiple functions (wellhead support, sealing, and orientation) into a single integrated structure, thereby reducing installation time and cost while maintaining orientation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment arrangement is pre-configured within the wellhead apparatus during manufacturing, establishing the correct orientation before the tubing hanger is installed. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex on-site orientation operations using external spools, reducing installation time while ensuring accurate positioning
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional Orientation Spools or Tubing Head Spools are used to orient the tubing hanger, then accurate orientation of downhole tubing and equipment is achieved, but the fatigue loading on the wellhead increases, reducing mean time before failure
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the orientation function into the wellhead apparatus structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate Orientation Spools or Tubing Head Spools that would otherwise be subject to fatigue loading. This integration reduces the number of components experiencing cyclic stresses during installation and operation, thereby improving the mean time before failure while maintaining orientation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the orientation function from external spools and relocates it within the wellhead apparatus. This extraction eliminates the fatigue loading problem associated with external spools while preserving the essential orientation capability, as the alignment arrangement is now part of the wellhead's permanent structure rather than a removable component
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional wellbore construction equipment is used, then tubing hanger installation is achieved, but the system cannot be fully verified before deployment, increasing the likelihood of failure requiring costly remedial operations
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment arrangement is designed and configured during the wellhead manufacturing process, allowing the entire system to be assembled and verified onshore before deployment. This preliminary verification capability enables thorough testing of the orientation and alignment functions in a controlled environment, ensuring installation success and eliminating the need for costly remedial operations offshore
Data Source
AI summary
A wellhead assembly (100) comprises a wellhead apparatus (10) having a tubular body (16) defining an axial throughbore (18), a tubing hanger (12) for supporting downhole tubing (14) and associated downhole tools and equipment within the wellhead assembly (10), and more particularly orientating the tubing hanger (12) relative to a conductor (36). The wellhead apparatus (10) comprises a tubing hanger alignment arrangement (32) which in the illustrated apparatus (10) takes the form of a helical profile provided in an axial throughbore (18) of the tubular body (16). The tubing hanger alignment arrangement (32) is configured to engage an alignment arrangement (34) of the tubing hanger (12) so as to orient the tubing hanger (12) relative to the wellhead apparatus (10) as the tubing hanger (12) is run into the tubular body (16).